What’s On in Siem Reap – Let’s get WILD!
If you haven’t yet been to the beautiful garden setting of WILD to enjoy delicious spring rolls and tasty cocktails in Siem Reap, you’ve been missing out!
The Spring Rolls
Where do I begin telling you about this foodie heaven? To start, I’m a very picky eater. And I’m vegetarian. Therefore, I’ve only worked my way through a portion of the menu, but it’s been enough to get me hooked. My current obsession is the cheese and sundried tomato spring rolls. WILD has six vegetarian and six meat-based spring roll options, either fresh or deep-fried. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert, as they have three mouth-watering choices that are must-tries: Chocolate and Kampot Pepper, Chocolate and Banana, and Pineapple and Cinnamon.
The Cocktails
I love cocktails, especially vodka-based cocktails. So it’s no surprise my go-to at WILD is their ‘James Bond on Holiday’. Vanilla vodka and passionfruit juice – one is never enough! But, to mix it up, I also enjoy their ‘Californication’. You might have guessed by the name, this is an ode to grunge band Red Hot Chili Peppers. It’s a beautifully balanced fruity and spicy drink. The owners spent hours testing new recipes and it’s been worth it. With twelve signature drinks on their list, it’s every cocktail connoisseur’s dream!
The Owners – Lorraine and Renaud
Husband and wife dynamic duo, Lorraine and Renaud, first came to Cambodia for a two week holiday in 2016. They fell in love with the relaxed feel of Siem Reap and less than two years later they moved here to open up a cocktail & tapas bar. It wasn’t a spontaneous decision, it was an idea they had thought about for years. And it begins with spring rolls.
As a hobby, Renaud always enjoyed cooking. Inspired by some cheesy samosas he and Lorraine had while on holiday on Reunion Island, he decided to create a spring roll version of the dish. He would make various fillings and have Lorraine test them when she arrived home late at night from work. Once Renaud had mastered a few different kinds, the couple began trying them out on friends when hosting dinner parties. It was around this time that Renaud first suggested opening a cocktail and tapas bar.
For Renaud the choice to leave his job was easier than for Lorraine, as he was no longer feeling passionate about his work. Lorraine loved her job, but she ultimately felt unfulfilled working in the corporate world. She felt like she wasn’t making any real contributions to society and was ready for a change of pace.
One night after a long day at work, she announced to Renaud: “Let’s do it!”. The couple knew Cambodia was the perfect place to launch their new project. In part, opening a business in Cambodia was always more than just changing careers for them. Their goal was to employ staff, run a sustainable business, and give back to their community. For more about their philosophy and commitments, you can check out the WILD website here.
Four years later, WILD has proven to be a successful business in Siem Reap. It now employs fourteen staff members – four of which have been with them since the beginning. Originally only open in the evenings, high demand led them to open for lunch as well. As their popularity grew, so did their menu as they started adding suggestions from guests.
Lorraine and Renaud continually welcome guest feedback and take to heart their customers’ opinions. They say they never make any decision lightly, whether it’s adding a new drink, spring roll, or a dipping sauce to the menu. Without a doubt, their care for quality has been a significant factor in the success of WILD.
Good News, Phnom Penh!
Possibly the most exciting part of this story is that WILD is expanding to Phnom Penh! After being delayed by COVID, their plan to build on the success of their Siem Reap model in Phnom Penh is finally coming to fruition. Lorraine and Renaud said they looked at more than 70 properties in the capital before they found one that had the right look and feel. If all goes to plan, they will be opening their new location this month, almost exactly four years after they founded WILD – Siem Reap.
The location is just off bustling Bassac Lane, so will prove popular with those living in PP, as well as SR visitors who want something tried and true while escaping the SR bubble for a weekend.
I had the chance to get a sneak peek at it last month during their renovations. I could already see it’s going to be a gorgeous garden-oasis reprieve from the city centre hustle. Lorraine and Renaud plan to expand the food menu, to include some specially featured items from the SR menu, as well as add to the beer and wine list. I can’t wait to basque in their new lush location, sipping on a ‘James Bond on Holiday’ when I’m next in the capital again! For updates of when they open, follow their FB page WILD – Phnom Penh.
Author: Leon Havana
A trained chef and sports aficionado with extensive experience across South America and Asia. Leon’s culinary creations celebrate local flavors, while his love for sports like football and boxing connects him with local communities.
